Resources for Law Enforcement

Law enforcement is our central defense against counterfeit drugs in the United States. Federal agents and police officers all over the country are working at capacity to stop fake drug operations that threaten Americans. Opening the United States' borders to imported medicines will overwhelm law enforcement's resources and undercut their mission. In a 2017 investigation about the impacts of drug importation, former FBI Director Louis Freeh learned that the DEA, FBI, FDA, Interpol, and local police all agree that "proposals to allow drug importation from or through Canada would turn the advantage from law enforcement to criminal organizations."

First Responders and Fentanyl

Illicit, imported fentanyl and its analogues have become a significant driver in the opioid epidemic.The drugs–which may be sold as powder; mixed into heroin, cocaine and other illegal drugs; or made into counterfeit pills–have caused a spike in fatal overdose deaths across the country. These drugs are a significant threat to law enforcement and other first responders who may encounter them.

Police officers and other first responders may encounter raw fentanyl, fentanyl pills or fentanyl in the process of being made into pills in the course of their work. Officers have been sickened and overdosed because of tiny exposures to these drugs, and it is vital that they protect themselves.

Fentanyl 101. Our infographic explains what fentanyl is, where it comes from and how it's getting into counterfeit medicines in the U.S.

Counterfeit Pills Made with Fentanyl. PSM maintains updated information about incidents involving counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl on this page and its state subpages. Check here to see how counterfeit pills are affecting your state.